Happy Birthday Banner

Here is the banner that I made for this particular event but it will work for all of our birthdays! It was fun and although I struggled a little bit with this tutorial; I used it. I used all scraps except for the binding. I don't have a binding machine and it completely sucked that it took me hours of reading the internet before I could find something I could use. Go here. This woman is amazing!

Give me an 'H'!

Give me an 'a'!

Give me a 'p'!

Give me another 'p'!

Give me a 'y'!

This is the spacer!

Give me a 'B'!

Gimme an 'i'!

Gimme an 'r'!

Gimme a 't'!

Gimme an 'h'!

Like I don't have stuff to do tonight!?

Give me a 'd'!

Gimme an 'a'!

Give me a 'y'!

Give me Uki any day!! She decided to 'help' me as I was photographing each letter. She loved the binding. Her back claws are going to town here!

Nice action shot here if I do say so myself!

Honestly, I don't know if this was the first photo or the last. I took a ton!

Christmas Presents made and delivered to Jordan!

These are a set of six coasters (first ever attempt) for Talla; Amal's friend's mom. I learned a lot from these and made a second set of six for my girlfriend for last night's party. We do a gift exchange. I forgot to take pics of those!

These are the back and how I quilted them. With the second set, I just sewed the seam around the edge and left them at that.

This book cover was for Karmah's sister, Zeyna. Apparently, she LOVES it! I'm so happy! I ended up using a red grosgrain ribbon and am thinking of that being my 'thing'. The red does match the red beaks of the flamingos.

I'm still unsure of the best way to do my labels. I get so confused on positioning but will sort that out soon! Notice the 'New Moon' mug that KARMAH gave me? Yep, using it and lovin' it!

This one is another one for Karmah. It looks a lot of one I made for Ali but the inside black fabric is different. Amal chose the fabrics to represent New Moon of course! ??

The inside of this book cover. The label is different than the previous cover.

We also sent a box of Bateel dates in a gorgeous Christmas tree box.

I think Ali is coming down with something. He is coughing and that is never good with this child. I need to figure out what to do now.

Amal is happy and doing well in Jordan. Oh, FORGOT TO TELL YOU ALL! My baby girl went to Jordan (hence all the gifts) to visit her friend that she made here in Muscat last year. After seven years in Muscat, the McIlvain's got transfered to Amman, Jordan. She left yesterday afternoon and will be gone a week. I was a nervous wreck until she landed! She keeps sending me little SMS messages all day long, bless her.

Thanks for having a look.

I made a Book Cover for Ali - finally!

Well, it has taken me forever again to upload this and it is missing the picture from inside but damn!, I'm tired of waiting! I tried to pebble quilt this but it proved to be too much so I took it all out and then just used solid black for the inside pockets and used a red grosgrain ribbon for the bookmark.

Here is the missing photo! Now you can see the inside of the book cover. I'm really pleased with this. I did take out the knot at the bottom of the ribbon as Ali said he did not like that.

Here is the label that I put in on the right bottom side. I love it and more importantly, so does Ali!! Now, to make myself one!

One more shot of the Carry All Bag in the morning!

Ok, it is morning and I had this BIG, BRIGHT idea to hang the bag and photograph it WITH the kitties in there. I thought it would be fun but they would NOT cooperate! So, here is the bag standing alone. Ahhhh

I FINISHED THE AMY BUTLER CARRY ALL BAG! Whew-hoo!!

Oh, indeed it has been a long time. Here are some pictures of my bag!

The day before yesterday, I was sewing the bag together and it dropped to the floor and Uki ran into it! I hadn't sewn up the bottom sides and just after I took this photo, she ran out of the side opening!

I had a REALLY hard time with the lining. Not putting it together, that was easy; it was the sewing around the edges and not getting caught up with the straps. I tore it out three times and finally had to baste both the bag 1/2" and the lining. That made it easier for me. I also did not like sewing the big 'x' on the handles. Cumbersome!

Here she is! Click on the photo to enlarge it. I put my very own label that I made on it too. First time I am using them!

Here is a closer look at my label. I am pleased with it!

Here is a little glimpse of the inside so that you can see the lining. It is light grey and the main fabric has a bit of grey in it as well. Overall, would I make another one? Yep! I enjoyed the whole thing.

Thanks for stopping by...

Sewing Machine Cover and Catch All Thing

Hi All,

Mayya over at Sew Chic and Unique has a Sew It group. They made a Thread Catcher and I thought that I would post my project that was made a long time ago with some other friends. The difference with mine is the added sewing machine cover to match and mine has more pockets. What mine does not have that I would love to have is a pin cushion, so I think that is clever! I also do not throw my threads in because of Isra's same complaint of not being able to get out the threads easily when it is time to clean.

It took me a while to figure it out as what I was given was my friend's actual piece and I suck at trying to figure out making patterns! Another friend came over and basically mapped out a way verbally for me and ended up making the thing herself. I had to close it up in the back and decided on my pockets and sewed that part up! Thanks Olga!

Anyhow, I look forward to the next Sew It project and hope to play along!

Thanks for stopping by!

I think I am ready to make some storage cubes!

I have been saving all my cereal boxes, cake mix boxes, anything of a decent size to use up in the storage cubes! I think I need to break them down now and prepare them and make some STORAGE BOXES! Hmmm....

My FIRST selvedge!!! I'm SO proud!!

My first selvedge! I'm so excited! I'm so proud and need to make it a home very soon! Next week!

One of my favorite tools for quilting.

One of my latest favorite tools for quilting is a little guy called That Purple Thang. It is an extension of your finger. You can use it to help you hold a seam allowance down while sewing. The other end has a measure of 1/4" so you can use it to check your seam allowances if you haven't been able to do it by sight. It is a great little guy! These photos were taken last week when I was working on the storage cube! Check it out...

I did it!! I made a storage cube!

Here is my first storage cube.  This floral was bought somewhere in the Middle East and I think it is Japanese cotton.  It almost feels silky and that is why I have not used it.  I had some interfacing and used it and it worked beautifully!  I will make another one with the fabs switched.  This IS addictive and I LOVE it!!  Get the tutorial here. Ooh, I hope this works as it will be the first time that I link!!  I love this blog world!